Where Diwali comes late and brings on animal slaughter

Shimla : Almost a month after the rest of India celebrated Diwali, some interior areas of Himachal Pradesh are set to usher in the festival Friday, slaughtering hundreds of animals in celebration, in keeping with the tradition.

The mythical reason for the delayed Diwali, say locals, is that the news of Lord Ram's victorious return to Ayodhya reached late in these parts, Prem Parshad Pandit, member-secretary of the state temples committee, told IANS.

The festival, locally known as Buddhi Diwali (or old Diwali), is mainly celebrated in Ani and Nirmand in Kullu district, Shillai in Sirmaur district, and Chopal in Shimla district.

The celebrations are spread from three days to a week, depending on local traditions and custom. Festivities start on the first 'amavasya', or new moon of the lunar half, after the regular Diwali.

People dance and sing folklore related to the epic Mahabharata through the night in front of bonfires, amid the beating of drums and playing of trumpets to appease the gods. They carry out processions with the flame of the bonfire. It's also associated with the Mahabharata battle which is said to have started on the first day of Buddhi Diwali.

In Kullu district, the festival is celebrated to commemorate the killing of the demons, Dano and Asur, who resided there in the form of snakes. Hundreds of goats, sheep and buffaloes are sacrificed.

As per tradition, villagers take animals to a nearby temple where the sacrificial ceremony is performed on 'amavasya'. The severed heads are offered to the deities and the meat is taken home for cooking. The feast is shared by villagers.Pandit said there are certain local customs that the government cannot prohibit.

"The sacrificing of animals to appease gods has been followed for decades. The government is educating the people to do away with it. In some areas, people have stopped it, but it's more or less a symbolic exercise," he added.

Octogenarian Leela Devi, a villager in Shillai area of Sirmaur, said: "The animal sacrifice ensures protection of our crops and livestock from natural calamities. We rear animals specially for the festival."

She said the feast prepared from the slaughtered animals is served among the entire community. "Even the leftover meat is stored for consumption during winter. Actually, the celebrations mark the onset of a harsh winter."

The festival also has a brighter side. The locals clean their houses, purchase utensils, bangles and clothes and cook special dishes.

However, animal protection groups have demanded that the practice of animal killing be stopped.

A centuries-old Buddhist shrine, the Key monastery in Spiti Valley in Lahaul and Spiti district, last year appealed to people to stop slaughtering animals and be more humane to other species. 

The monastery has even warned locals, mostly Buddhists, that if they are caught slaughtering animals, including wild ones, or drinking liquor, a fine of Rs.20,000 would be imposed on them.

Spare a thought for animals this Diwali

http://news24online.com/Spare-a-thought-for-animals-this-Diwali_News24_35578.aspx

New Delhi: This Diwali, as people celebrate with crackers, lights and a lot of noise, spare a thought for the poor animals cowering in the nearest corner. Animals get traumatised by the harsher side-effects of festivals, every year. And topping the list are firecrackers. With their heightened sense of hearing, animals often panic, get scared and run helter-skelter on hearing the noise. 

“Every year, countless companion animals disappear after Diwali firework displays. The terrified animals that flee the explosions often become disoriented and can’t find their way back home,” said Anuradha Srivastava, veterinarian and campaign coordinator, People for ethical treatment of animals (Peta) India. Peta advises society people and others to keep a lookout for abandoned animals and help them home. 

 Burns are the number one injuries suffered by most animals, says Dr (Col) JC Khanna, secretary, the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). In addition, smoke causes irritation and infections, adding to the discomfort of the animals, particularly strays. “A regular supply of water is recommended, especially if pollution is high,” Khanna said. 

Abodh Aras of the Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) urged pet lovers to help strays who are in distress, by either feeding them water or keeping them in their homes till the noise dies down. “The animals calm down in human company. But you should be known to them and share a comfortable rapport with the animal,” Aras added. The same goes for pets too. Mufaddal Tambawala, who has a specially built aviary at his home that houses over 100 birds, said, “It’s important to feed them high levels of calcium and vitamins, since they refuse to eat food if scared.” 

Shutting windows and doors, and covering cages with blankets are the easiest solutions to drown out sound. “Pets should ideally be kept in a noise-proof room, with lights on so that sudden flares don’t scare them. In extreme cases, they should be taken to the vet and given sedatives to calm them down,” says Dr Hemant Thange, an avian veterinarian. As Srivastava suggests, “We want everybody to enjoy the festivities, including animals”.